Song of Roland

Anonymous

Study Questions

Further Reading

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In what century was The Song of Roland most likely composed?

(A) Twelfth century

(B) Eleventh century

(C) Eighth century

(D) Seventh century

Who was Roland's closest companion?

(A) Olivier

(B) Turpin

(C) Marsilla

(D) Charlemagne

What was the last city in Spain to hold out against Charlemagne?

(A) Saragossa

(B) Toledo

(C) Cordova

(D) Barcelona

Which of the following is worshipped by the Muslims of The Song of Roland?

(A) Apollo

(B) Allah

(C) Satan

(D) Baal

What is the name of Roland's sword?

(A) Durendal

(B) Joyeuse

(C) Precieuse

(D) Termagant

In what century did the historical ambush at Roncesvals take place?

(A) Eighth century

(B) Seventh century

(C) Eleventh century

(D) Twelfth century

Who betrays the rear guard?

(A) Ganelon

(B) Turpin

(C) Baligant

(D) Sanson

Which of the following pair of words are assonant?

(A) Ring, lilt

(B) Rate, fate

(C) Three, through

(D) Rain, ran

Which of the following is an example of parataxis?

(A) It was snowing; we stayed inside.

(B) It was snowing, so we stayed inside.

(C) Since it was snowing, we stayed inside.

(D) Because it was snowing, we stayed inside.

Who interposed between Charlemagne and God?

(A) Saint Gabriel

(B) The Virgin Mary

(C) Saint Denis

(D) Saint Michel

Who kills Pinabel?

(A) Thierry

(B) Charlemagne

(C) Baligant

(D) Bramimonde

What is Roland's last action before he dies?

(A) He offers his glove to God.

(B) He kills one last pagan.

(C) He blows his oliphant.

(D) He carries water to Turpin.

Which of the following is called Charlemagne's "right arm"?

(A) His nephew

(B) His sword

(C) His archbishop

(D) His son

Who advises Charlemagne to "[k]eep waging war the way you started out, / lead your assembled host to Saragossa, / lay siege to it, for all your life is worth, / and take revenge on those the villains killed"?

(A) Roland

(B) Naimes

(C) Olivier

(D) Turpin

Who tells Charlemagne, "So keep on riding!Why do you stop here? / For Tere Majur lies far ahead of us"?

(A) Ganelon

(B) Roland

(C) Gerin

(D) Engelier

Who laments, "God, how tiring is my life!"?

(A) Charlemagne

(B) Marsilla

(C) Malquiant

(D) Roland

Which of the following is in the correct chronological order?

(A) Ganelon and Blancandrin's conversation, death of Olivier, drowning of Saracens in Ebro, conversion of Bramimonde

(B) Drowning of Saracens in Ebro, conversion of Bramimonde, death of Olivier, Ganelon and Blancandrin's conversation

(C) Death of Olivier, conversion of Bramimonde, drowning of Saracens in Ebro, Ganelon and Blancandrin's conversation

(D) Ganelon and Blancandrin's conversation, drowning of Saracens in Ebro, death of Olivier, conversion of Bramimonde

Who says, "if I should see my lovely sister Alde, / then you shall never lie in her embrace"?

(A) Olivier

(B) Ganelon

(C) Bramimonde

(D) Roland

What is the capital city of the Franks?

(A) Aix

(B) Paris

(C) Laon

(D) Rome

Who resolves the quarrel between Roland and Olivier about blowing the oliphant?

(A) Turpin

(B) Charlemagne

(C) Naimes

(D) Gerier

How is Marsilla injured at Roncesvals?

(A) His right hand is chopped off.

(B) His right arm is chopped off.

(C) His rib cage is shattered.

(D) His temples are smashed.

Who says that a chevalier "must be fierce and powerful in combat— / if not, he isn't worth four deniers— / should be instead a monastery monk / and pray the livelong day for all our sins"?

(A) Turpin

(B) Roland

(C) Charlemagne

(D) Alde

Ganelon is Roland's:

(A) Step-father

(B) Father

(C) Uncle

(D) Step-son

Who says, "These gods of ours behave like renegades"?

(A) Bramimonde

(B) Marsilla

(C) Gemalfin

(D) Margariz

Who is the emir of Babylon?

(A) Baligant

(B) Marsilla

(C) Aelroth

(D) Chernuble

Who says "No Frenchmen will condemn you to be hanged, / or else the emperor will join us two, / and with my blade of steel I'll prove he lies"?